Edit page | Page history | Printable version

potent

1. Producing great physical effects; forcible; powerful' efficacious; as, a potent medicine. Harsh and potent injuries. Moses once more his potent rod extends. (milton)

2. Having great authority, control, or dominion; puissant; mighty; influential; as, a potent prince. A potent dukedom. Most potent, grave, and reverend signiors. (Shak)

3. Powerful, in an intellectual or moral sense; having great influence; as, potent interest; a potent argument. Cross potent.

Synonym: powerful, mighty, puissant, strong, able, efficient, forcible, efficacious, cogent, influential.

Origin: L. Potens, -entis, p. Pr. Of posse to be able, to have power, fr. Potis able, capable (akin to Skr. Pati master, lord) _ esse to be. See Host a landlord, Am, and cf. Despot, Podesta, Possible, Power, Puissant.